Milan: Sponsors scrap Beckham move Sunday 1 June, 2003
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Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has confirmed an approach for David Beckham, but rules it out due to a clash of sponsors.
“Beckham is a player that certainly intrigues us,” admitted the transfer guru, “but there is a major stumbling block in his other contracts.”
The implication is that Milan are more than willing to meet the £30m price tag set by Manchester United.
“The problem is that Beckham has a two-year contract with Vodafone. They represent competition for our club sponsors and therefore the two deals cannot co-exist.”
The Rossoneri have a sponsorship deal with Telecom Italia Mobile and Siemens Mobiles, so the England international’s move is affected by big business.
“We could not even buy him out of that personal contract as the figures are far too high.”
The other rumoured new buys for next year are Lazio defender Jaap Stam and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo.
“Nonetheless, I still maintain this club must bring in already confirmed champions rather than promising young talents. It is too hard for a youngster to make his mark in this city.”
Galliani was speaking at an AC Milan workshop this afternoon, but retained a small hope for the fans.
“What are the chances of Beckham coming to Milan? 0.01 per cent,” he grinned mischievously.
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri are recovering from yesterday’s celebratory dinner for the Champions’ League and Coppa Italia victory.
The players can now go straight into next year’s European competition as the holders, so the pre-season training camp begins on July 19 instead of the 15th.
“I think it’s a nice present,” concluded Galliani, “and the squad fully deserved this extra rest.”
Their first test of the new season will be the Italian Supercup on August 23 or 24. As Juventus won the Scudetto, we’ll see a replay of the Champions’ League Final.
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Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has confirmed an approach for David Beckham, but rules it out due to a clash of sponsors.
“Beckham is a player that certainly intrigues us,” admitted the transfer guru, “but there is a major stumbling block in his other contracts.”
The implication is that Milan are more than willing to meet the £30m price tag set by Manchester United.
“The problem is that Beckham has a two-year contract with Vodafone. They represent competition for our club sponsors and therefore the two deals cannot co-exist.”
The Rossoneri have a sponsorship deal with Telecom Italia Mobile and Siemens Mobiles, so the England international’s move is affected by big business.
“We could not even buy him out of that personal contract as the figures are far too high.”
The other rumoured new buys for next year are Lazio defender Jaap Stam and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo.
“Nonetheless, I still maintain this club must bring in already confirmed champions rather than promising young talents. It is too hard for a youngster to make his mark in this city.”
Galliani was speaking at an AC Milan workshop this afternoon, but retained a small hope for the fans.
“What are the chances of Beckham coming to Milan? 0.01 per cent,” he grinned mischievously.
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri are recovering from yesterday’s celebratory dinner for the Champions’ League and Coppa Italia victory.
The players can now go straight into next year’s European competition as the holders, so the pre-season training camp begins on July 19 instead of the 15th.
“I think it’s a nice present,” concluded Galliani, “and the squad fully deserved this extra rest.”
Their first test of the new season will be the Italian Supercup on August 23 or 24. As Juventus won the Scudetto, we’ll see a replay of the Champions’ League Final.
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